The Space Foundation is now accepting nominations for the organization's highest award, the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award.

Honoring its late, long-time chairman, Gen. James E. Hill, USAF (Ret.), the award recognizes outstanding individuals who have distinguished themselves through lifetime contributions to humankind through exploration, development and use of space, or through use of space technology, information or resources in academic, cultural, industrial or other pursuits of broad benefit to humanity.

Nominations must be received by September 30, 2016, and the award will be presented at a special luncheon on April 5, 2017, during the Space Foundation's 33rd Space Symposium at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The 2016 award was presented to VADM Richard H. Truly, USN (Ret.), former fighter pilot, former astronaut and the eighth Administrator of NASA.

Any person may nominate a candidate for the award, with the exception that individuals may not nominate themselves.

Criteria
The nomination criteria must meet at least two of the following measures:

Effectively employed space technologies, research systems or space-derived data to improve the human condition through the artistic, scientific or humanistic endeavor

Exemplification of Mission Criteria
The mission of the Space Foundation is: To advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity. Nominees must exemplify the Space Foundation mission by meeting at least three of the following criteria:

Has written or published papers, textbooks, articles, etc., relating to the exploration, development or utilization of space, or has spoken in public forums such as conferences and symposia

Has been active in promoting and disseminating information about space exploration, development or utilization through any medium

Has been active with non-space-related groups -- whether professional, fraternal, industrial, academic or community based -- resulting in a transfer of space knowledge to other professions or groups

Has been active in community or public service not related to normal job responsibilities

Has volunteered or otherwise contributed significant or extended effort on behalf of the Space Foundation and its mission

Submit a nomination in the form of a letter, not to exceed two pages, by September 30, 2016, addressed to:

Upon ratification by the Space Foundation Board of Directors, the honoree will be notified immediately in writing. Questions may be directed to Space Foundation Vice President—Operations & Human Resources, Kathleen Vinson, at kvinson@spacefoundation.org.